The North Carolina women’s tennis team got off to a quick start over the weekend at The Furman Fall Classic in Greenville, South Carolina.
Six of the eight teams that competed in the tournament were ranked in the top 63 in the 2016 final ITA Collegiate Tennis rankings. UNC was at the top of the six ranked teams that competed after finishing in fourth.
One of UNC’s two double teams that competed remained undefeated, while only one of the six singles brackets in the tournament were won by a Tar Heel.
The doubles team of sophomore Chloe Ouellet-Pizer and redshirt senior Rachael James-Baker had close finishes in their first two matches (8-5, 8-7), but finished with ease in an 8-1 victory over Vanderbilt’s Emily Smith and Emma Kurtz.
“Chloe and Rachael played great tennis last week, but weren’t able to get the results that they wanted," Coach Brian Kalbas said. "But this weekend they were able to come together to win.
"It was a great accomplishment.”
Of the six brackets of singles play, only one Tar Heel enjoyed a win in the final.
Junior Cassandra Vazquez struggled at first after losing her first match (6-4. 6-1), but was able to bounce back for a win during the second match (7-5, 6-2). Vazquez completed her comeback by moving on to defeat Tennessee’s Johanna Silva in the consolation final (6-3, 6-3).
“She gained confidence after her second match and was able to focus on her game,” said Kalbas. “I’m really proud of the way that she was able to come back.”
